Paper feeding device



5 Sheets-Sheet l G. T. FYFE ET AL PAPERFEEDING DEVICE Filed Sept. 5, 1936 Nhl/ f 11n/mm m March 15, 1938.

G. T. FYFE ET AL PAPER FEEDING DEVICE March l5, 1938.

Filed Sept. 5, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 lal illill::IllllllllIIIIIIIIIlIIlllillllllillrlllllllll IIIIIIIIIlnlnlillllilllnlnlllnlllllllnlll :Illvllll lNVEyTR BY/ m W m. WMM

ATTORNEY 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 March l5, 1938. G. T. FYFE ET A1.

PAPER FEEDING DEVICE Filed sept. 5, 193e March 15, 1938.

Filed Sept. 5, 1936 G. TL FYFE ET AL PAPER FEEDING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 f Wmmzmd ATTORNEY.

Patentedr Mar. 15, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE miren rennrad nnvlcn York Application September 5, 1936, Serial No. 99,540

12 Claims.

Ihis invention relates generally to devices for controlling feeding of a record sheet in printing machines and more specifically to a check feeding control mechanism in a record controlled tabulator.

An object of the invention is to provide improved ymeans for rapidly and accurately feeding checks through an accounting machine.

I Another object is to provide means under conf trol of marginal perforations in the checks for locating them in proper printing position. A 4frictional gripper is operated to hold the check strip in an accurate position at a point determined by perforation sensing devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide Aaycheclr feeding device which is operative as an incident, to name printing and total printing.

g .A feature of the invention is the provision of means for selecting ordinary sheet spacing or check feeding control. y

" -An object of the invention is to make it easy to thread a check strip in a feeding mechanism and. for this purpose there is provided a hinged cover on a paper 'aligning unit and a clutch release device for freeing a platen for manipulative control.-

Another feature is the selection of one of a Aplurality of sensed marginal perforations to control feeding. I

The foregoing and other objects of the in- -vention will be evident as this specification continues with reference to the-drawings forming .jpart thereof.

In the drawings:

.Fig. i is a plan view of the perforation sensing and paper gripping control unit.

f- Fig. 2 is a right sectional elevation view of the Slipper unit with the section taken along the line in Fig. 1.

3 is a sectional elevation view of the gripper unit looking from the rear at a section along line 3 3 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a right elevation view of the paper feeding devices.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation view of the paper feeding devices.

liig. 6 is a sectional view of the paper feeding clutchl devices looking down at a section takenalong the line 6-6 in Fig. 4.

y '7 is a detail view of a section of the check strip showing two printed checks.

'Fig. 8 is an elevation view of the printing devices.

rig. 9 is a wiringdiagram.

The invention is iliustratedas an improvement (Cl. IS7-133) in machines of the type disclosed in the application of A. W. Mills, Serial No. 634,454, filed September 23, 1932, which matured as Patent 2,079,418 and U. S. Patent 2,016,682. In these machines, perforated record cards contain numerical and alphabetic data which is sensed to control accumulation and printing.. The records are arranged in groups according to perforated group numbers so that a series of items may be added to form a total amount related to the` group. Automatic group control devices detect a change in group numbers and initiate total printing. A group number or a name may be printed as an incident to the sensing of the first card of a group and then printing may be suspended until the total amount of the group is printed. Such first card printing control is fully explained in the application of J. R. Peirce, Serial No. 620,653, led July 2, 1932. In the present case a name is printed on Ia check and then a related total amount isprintd on the same check before thecheck strip is fed to position another check in` printingv position.

In Fig. '7 .there is shown a sample section of a check strip 50 which is divided into separate checks of a regular form-and length. The sides of the strip are perforated with marginal perforations 5I which not only serve to control the. positioning of the checks, but also aid in subsequent feeding operations when the strip is removed from the tabulator. The distance that the strip is fed between printing operations is illustrated at the left of the strip.

The strip 50 is held against a platen 52 (Fig. 8) and there receives the printing impressions. The printing mechanism may be explained in a general way with reference to Fig. 8. A printer control magnet PMis energized at a differential instant according to the time of sensing a perforation in the recordcard or the time that an accumulator controlled total contact is closed. Moving in synchronism with the other tabulating mechanism is a type bar 53 formed with notches 54 that are moved in `succession past a stop pawl 55. When magnet PM is energized it attracts an armature lever`56 to which is attached a call wire 5l connected at the opposite end to a latch 58 for releasing pawl 55. Thus the type bar 53 is stopped differentially by the pawl engaging in one of the notches 54; the bar stopping between a hammer 59 and platen 52 to place at the printing line, a type 60 corresponding to the perforation or total sensed.

As the check strip 50 is threaded up to the platen 52, it is passed through the perforation Iii sensing and paper gripping control unit shown in Figs. l. 2 and 3. This unit is mounted in a box made up with a pair of rigid side bars 6| and 62 (Fig. 3) to which are fastened the top plate 53, the side plates 6l, 65 and the base plate 66, (Fig. 2). The plates 64, 65 are notched to hook on a tabulator shaft 01 and the unit is fastened so that the front end of the top plate 83 overlaps the paper guide 68.

The check strip 50 passes between side guides 69 and 10 fastened to the top of bars 6|, 82. Guide 69 is xed but guide 10 is adjustable because transverse slots 13 therein may be shifted under the fastening screws 1|. The strip slides freely between plate 63 and a bakelite cover 12 which is hinged at 14 on the side plate 65 and provided with a pair of fastening screws 15 for holding the cover closed.

ie paper strip confining members of the gripper unit dispense with the need for lateral guides for the strip and the hinged cover makes it easy to insert a new length of strip. Thus the feed correcting unit acts as a paper guide to replace the regular angular members used in fanfold work.

Cooperating with the left margin of the check strip 50 (Fig. 3) is a leaf spring contact 16 fastened to an insulation block 11 secured to bar 62. Opposite the pointed ends of contact 16 is a metallic insert 18 in cover 12. When a marginal perforation 5| passes above contact 16, it reaches through and touches the insert to establish part of an electric circuit.

Even though the insert 18 is mounted on the movable cover 12, provision is made to carry current thereto from a xed binding post 82. A screw 19 threaded in the insert 18 clamps a wire 80 to the top of cover 12. At its other end, wire 80 is held over a spring contact 8| fastened to the top of cover 12 by screws 83. The end of contact 8| carries a point 84 which contacts the top of the head of the screw 85 forming part of binding post 82. The screw passes through an insulation washer 86, an insulation bushing 81 and a fibre block 88 which serve to keep the wiring insulated from the frame. When the cover 12 is lowered contact is established between point 84 and screw head 85 to convey current from binding post 82 to the perforation sensing contact 16. However, as soon as the cover is swung about hinge 14 the contact points are separated to break the connections.

An additional cover 49 protects the wire 80 from being grounded. The perforation sensing Contact 16 passes through all of the marginal perforations on one side of the check strip as it is being fed. The gripper magnet GM connected therewith is not operated for each perforation because at another point in the circuit, contacts are opened for most of the cycle and closed only at a critical point when the strip approaches the end of the feeding movement, as explained more fully hereinafter with reference to the wiring diagram.

When such a critical point in the feeding cycle is reached, the contact 16 protrudes through a selected marginal perforation 5| and contacts against the underside of insert 18 thereby energizing the gripper magnet GM. This magnet is supported on a U-shaped bracket 89 xed to the underside of the top plate B3. Overlying the magnet GM is an armature portion 90 of a gripper lever 9| pivoted on a shaft 92 secured to the underside of the bars 6|, 62. A pair of collars S3 hold the lever 9| in position on shaft 92 but free thereon for rocking movement. The front end of the lever carries a pair of brackets 94 to which is secured a rectangular friction plate 95. The top of the plate is notched to hold a rubber friction block 96 underlying the center of the check strip 50 (Fig. l). The strip passes between the underside of cover 12 and the top of friction block 98 as shown in Fig. 2. 'I'here it is seen that when magnet GM is energized, gripping lever is rocked in a clockwise direction to press the rubber block 98 against the underside of the check strip, forcing it against the cover plate 12 and holding the strip in a position determined by the position of the marginal perforation with relation to the sensing contact 16. The gripper prevents further movement of the strip when a perforation is sensed near the end of the feeding operation.

When the cover 12 is closed it serves to operate a pair of contacts 91, 91a wired in the gripping control circuit to prevent strip sensing operation as long as the cover is raised. The cover carries a plunger 98 (Fig. 2) provided with a rubber tip 99 pressing against the top blade of the set of contacts 91 to close the contacts when the cover 12 is down. The contact blades are tensioned to automatically open when the cover raises plunger 98.

The feeding devices about to be described are designed to feed the check strip to a distance slightly greater than the height of a check form and slightly greater than the distance between a plurality of spaced marginal perforations, but the gripper is brought into action to limit the movement to a distance equal to the exact height of a check form and equal to the distance between two similarly located control perforations sensed as the check strip passes through the gripping unit.

The check feeding devices are shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. These devices are adapted to move the check strip 50, after each total printing operation, through a plurality of line spaces amounting to a space of about three and one-half inches of the strip, or a length slightly greater than the narrow side of a check. Of course it is obvious that the proportions of the feed devices or gearing may be varied, or different size clutch disks may be inserted to suit other check sizes.

The feeding devices are connected to the right side of the platen as viewed from the front of the machine (at the left in Fig. 5) this side being supported by a side frame |00 fastened to a carriage brace rod |0|. The driving connections are mounted between a tabulator side frame |02 and a bearing bracket |03 fastened to the tabulator base. A tabulator brace bar |04 carries a bracket |05 for supporting a holder I 08 for the feed release magnet FM.

The driving means for the feed devices is a cam |01 which is fixed to the tabulator printer shaft |08 borne by frame |02 and bracket |03. This printer shaft turns one complete revolution in a clockwise direction (Fig. 4) during each printing cycle of the tabulator. Coopenating with the cam |01 is a roller |09 mounted on the end of an operating lever ||0 fastened to a shaft loosely pivoted between the top of bracket |03 and'a hole in side frame |02. vShaft also carries an arm |l2 which is pivotally connected by a screw Ill to an operating link Ill. A spring ||5 connected to a tab IIS on link Ill, tends to rock the shaft in a counterclockwise direction to maintain constant cooperation between roller Il! and cam |01. However, such cooperation is normally prevented by an armature latch lever H1, the lower end of which abuts against the top of a shoulder ||8 on the end of lever ||0 opposite roller |09. Lever ||1 is loosely pivoted on a rod H8 supported in a pair of ears |20 depending from holder |06. A spring |2| urges the latch lever ||1 in a clockwise direction to hold the parts latched until magnet FM is energized. Then the magnet attracts the horizontal arm of lever I I1 and rocks the lever in a counterclockwise direction to move the lower end of the lever` out of the path of shoulder ||8 and permitting the check feeding drive linkage to move as controlled by the periphery of cam |01 Magnet FM is not energized on every cycle of the.

tabulator, nor on every printing cycle of the ma chi-ne, but only on total printing cycles when an -amount is printed on a check.

The control of cam |01 over the opel ating linkage is such as to allow the link ||4 to lift quickly under the urging of spring ||5, and then to draw the link down again positively due to the cooperation of the rising cam surface against roller |09. This all happens on the reset portion of the tabulator total print and reset cycles, so that total printing is finished before the described connections act to move the check strip.

Link I4 is slotted at |22 and |23 and connected to an upper operating link |24 by a pair of screws |25 fastened in link |24. Another screw |26 in link |24 carries ra nut |21 with an eccentric shoulder |28 that protrudes into a transverse slot in link ||4. Nut |21 maybe turned to move link |24 up or down with respect to link |4, thus providing an adjustable vlength of link betweenI the check feed driving and operating means to allow the operator to determine the starting and ending position of the feed pawl.

side frame |00 by nut |36. Also loosely pivoted f on sleeve |33 is a ratchet wheel |31 with a sleeve .screw stud |44 fastened to plate |32.

|38 that passes through hub |3|. Wheel |31 is normally connected to gear |34 by a pair of pins |33 which protrude from the gear yinto one of three pairs of holes |40 in the side of the wheel.

The ratchet wheel |31 is driven in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 4)' by a pawl |4| pivoted on a screw |42 in drive plate |32 `and held there-4 on by a U-shaped clip |42. "A spring |60 tends to hold pawl |4| in engagement with the wheel. 'I'he top of upper link |24 is formed with a hub |43 (Fig. 5) which pivots on the shoulder of a The link is removably held on the stud so that the connection may be easily broken when the carriage is to be movedA or taken out of the machine. For this reason link |24 is held en stud |44 by a thin locking strip |45 which is slotted at |46 to engage in notch under the head of the stud.4 'Ihe strip |45 is pivoted on a screw |41 in link y|24 and provided with a finger piece |48 for moving it around the screw. A small projection |49Y on the strip fits into a depression in the side of link |24 to hold the strip in locking position.

Through the connection at stud |44, the raising and lowering of link |24 serves to rock plate |32 iirst in a clockwise and then in a counterclockwise direction. As this is done, pawl |4| first slides idly along the periphery of clutch wheel v|31on the up-stroke, and then on the downstroke it engages in one of four notches |50 cut in the edge of the wheel to turn it in a counterclockwise direction. As the wheel reaches one of the four home positions, it is held there by a retaining detent |5| pivoted on a stud |52 on bracket |29. A spring |53 on the detent, tends to hold it with a tooth |54 thereon projecting into one of .the notches |50. The detent maintains such a wheel latching position during the upstroke of plate l32,and is only thrown out near the end of the up-stroke when the end of a screw stud |55 on plate |32 strikes a cam face |56 on the detent and rocks it to lift tooth |54 away from the clutch wheel. At this time, the pawl |4| engages one of the notches |50 and starts moving the clutch wheel |31 so that even though the detent is released early in the down-stroke of the drive plate, it does not immediately engage a notch |50 but rides idly on the periphery of the wheel until the end of the feed cycle when it again drops tooth |54 into the next notch |50. Of course -when connections are made for screw |59. The one end of the shaft is supported by a bearing on frame |00. Also secured to shaft |58 is a driving disk |6| with an opening into which protrudes a keying pin |62.` This pin is fastened in a bushing |63 loosely mounted on shaft |58 but fastened to the platen 52 and its stiffening tube |64. As gear |34 is driven by the linkage from cam |01 (Fig. 4) pinion |51isturned and through disk |6| (Fig. 6) pin |62 and bushing |63, platen 52 is turned therewith.

If it is desired to disconnect `the platen from the check feed devices, the platen may be grasped and shifted to the right (Fig. 6) to move the pin |62 out of the opening in disk 6| The platen is located and heldin the clutching and declutching positions on shaft |58 by a spring pressed ball |65 in bushing |63. This ball cooperates .with either of two grooves |66 in shaft |58. The shaft is'held stationary as the platen is shifted, and a shoulder |61 ,thereon prevents the disk |6| from following -the platen to the right.

As the platen is shifted out of engagement with the check feeding devices, it is 'automatically coupled with the ratchet gear |68 of the ordinary line spacing mechanism.- A'pin |69 is fastened in a bushing |10 fastened at the right end of the platen. This pin ts into an opening |1| in the side of a clutch collar |12 fastened to the end of shaft |56. An adapter |13 connects the collar |12 to the ratchet |66. When pin |62 is moved out of disk |6| a distance equal to the space between the grooves |66, pin |69 keys the platen 52 wsith the collar |12 and line space ratchet gear 8.

A manipulative knob |14 (Fig. 6) is provided to turn the platen 52 independently of the check feeding mechanism when the check strip is insertedin the machine. This knob is fastened to the sleeve |33 of driving gear |34 so that the gear may be pushed in to disengage the drive pins |39 from the wheel |31 before the knob is turned manually to wrap `the first part of a check strip around the platen. A coil spring 20|! presses between frame |00 and the side of gear |34 and tends to holdthe gear coupled with the ratchet wheel. The teeth on pinion |51 are wide enough to maintain meshing relationship with the teeth on gear |34 even though the gear is shifted.

When the gear |34 is shifted for disconnection.

2O feeding, gear |34 always moves withfthe clutch ratchet wheel |31 is prevented from following along therewith by a collar |16 fastened to the tubular end |38 of the wheel. This collar is spaced near hub |30 and presses against the side thereof if the wheel tends to move in with gear |34.

After the check strip is inserted so that the first check is near the printing position, the operator turns gear |34 further until pins |39 coincide with the nearest set of holes |40 in ratchet wheel |31. Then he releases the inward pressure on knob |14 and allows the gear to move outward so that pins |39 again engage to couple the gear to the check feed ratchet wheel.

If further adjustment is necessary to bring the printing line of the first check into position, the ordinary pressure feed rollers |11 (Fig. 2) may be released while the strip is adjusted.

An opening |18 (Fig. 4) is provided in the top of frame |00 so that the entire platen assembly on shaft |58 may be removed. The end of the platen shaft is normally held down in opening 18 by a retaining arm |19 pivoted on frame |00 and swung down against the top of bearing |50 where it is held by a screw |8|.

A roll carrying bracket |82 is secured to frame |00. This bracket maybe used to support one end of a paper roll should the checks or other record paper be assembled on a roll rather than a fanfolded strip. y

The carriage is held in the check feed position by a plunger |83 (Fig. 4) which protrudes into a hole in a carriage bar |84 movable with the platen frame. The plunger slides in a tube |85 fastened to a xed carriage bar |86. A compression spring |81 tends to push the plunger int-o the carriage locking position, but the knurled end may be grasped and the plunger pulled out of bar |84 while the carriage is shifted. Then the plunger may be released to again lock the carriage in a new position.

In Fig 9 there is shown a diagram of the new wiring connections in a tabulator such as that of the Mills patent referred to hereinbeforc, to properly energize the feeding and gripping magnets FM and GM. A check feed switch CFS may be closed to select feed control by making partial connection between the energized tabulator lines 20| and 202. Then when a total such as 16.58 (Fig. '7) is to be printed, the total switch magnet TM is energized to close cont-acts |15 in series with magnet As the total print and reset cycle is in operation, and after the total impression is made, cam contacts Pis are closed by a cam on the print shaft and the feed magnet FM is energized over the circuit from line 20|, switch CFS, contacts |15, magnet FM, contacts PIB and line 202. The magnet then rocks lever |1 to release the check feed operating linkage. Of course, feeding is not started immediately upon energization of the magnet, because the depression in the cam first allows retraction of the linkage I4,

|24 and pawl |4 before the actual feeding movement is started.

Near the end of the feeding operation the gripping magnet GM goes into action under control of a marginal perforation to stop the check strip in an exact position for the next name and total print line. Although the brush 16 passes through all of the marginal perforations 5| on the right side of the strip, only one perforation per check is effective to control gripping, and that is the one encountered near the end of the feeding cycle as determined by the late closing of cam contacts PI1. Therefore, late in the total printing and check feeding cycle, if the cover 12 (Figs. 2 and 3) is closed, contacts 91, 91a and 84 will be closed, and contacts P|1 (Fig. 9) are closed, so that as soon as the next marginal perforation 5| appears between brush 16 and contact insert plate 18, magnet GM is energized. The circuit includes line 20|, switch CFS, plug socket |89. contacts 91, gripper magnet GM, contacts 84. brush 16, through perforation 5|, plate 18, contacts 91a, plug socket |90, contacts P|1 and line 202. The energized magnet GM'then actuates lever 9| to press the friction block 9B against the strip to hold it in position momentarily until the feed motion of the platen ceases after which contacts P|1 again open to prevent gripping until the next total print cycle. Plug sockets |89,

provide means for shunting the gripper connections or for plugging them to controls other than contacts P|1 and switch CFS.

When the feeding movement of the pawl |4| is gauged to give an exact feeding movement, it is then the function of the gripper merely to hold the strip in position rather than both stop and hold the strip.

While there is disclosed herein the novel features of the invention as applied to one form, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated and in their operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be'limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is as follows:

l. In a machine for printing and feeding a record strip, a platen for holding and feeding said strip, a line spacing means for operating said platen, a form feeding means for operating said platen to feed the strip a plurality of line spaces, connections between said platen and the spacing means, connections between said platen and the feeding means, and means for shifting said platen to make either of the connections effective and the other connections ineffective.

2. In a machine for feeding a record strip divided into separate forms, a platen for holding said forms, means for operating said platen. clutch devices including a ratchet wheel between said platen and operating means, a paw] for operating said wheel, a linkage between said pawl and the platen operating means, an eccentric in said linkage, and means for adjusting said eccentric to determine the extent of movement of said wheel by the pawl.

3. In a machine for feeding a record strip divided into forms, a strip feeding cam. a lever cooperating with said cam, an armature latch for holding said lever out of the path of said cam, a magnet for operating said latch to release the .lever, means for energizing the magnet, and

means operated by the lever for moving the strip from form to form.

4. In a machine for feeding a. record strip divided into forms, means for holding and moving the strip, a line spacing means, a clutch between said holding means and said spacing means, a feeding means for moving the strip from form to form, a second clutch between said hold- Y ing means and said feeding means, means for selectively making either clutch effective, a manipulative means for operating said strip moving means, a third clutch between said holding means and said feeding means, and means associated with said manipulative means for operating said third clutch to make it ineffective when the strip is fed manually by the manipulative means.

5. In a machine for feeding a strip divided into forms, a platen for holding .said strip, a notched ratchet wheel connected to said platen, a pawl for operating said wheel, means for retracting and operating said pawl to turn said wheel, a square toothed detent cooperating with the notches in said wheel to hold it in position, and means on said pawl operating means for operating said detent to lift the tooth away from the wheel when the pawl is fully retracted.

6. In a machine for feeding a strip divided into forms with a plurality of perforations spaced in each form, means for sensing the perforations, means for feeding the strip past the sensing means, means for selecting one of said plurality of perforations to control the stopping position of the strip, and means under control of the sensing means when cooperating with the selected perforation for stopping the strip.

7. In a machine for controlling the feeding of a continuous strip divided into'check forms'with a plurality of marginal perforations in each check, means capable of feeding said strip a slightly greater distance than the space from check to check, means for sensing'the perforations in the strip, and a gripping means controlled by said sensing means for stopping the strip and confining the movement of the strip to the exact dis-r' tance between checks.

8. In a machine for controlling the feeding of a continuous strip divided into check forms with a plurality ofs marginal perforations in each check, means capable of feeding said strip a slightly greater distance than the space from check to check, means for sensing the perforations in the strip, means for selecting one of `said plurality of perforations for effective cooperation with said sensing means near the end of the feeding operation, a strip gripping means, and means under control of said sensing means for operating said gripping means to stop the strip after a feed of one check space when the selected oneof the perforations is sensed.

c 9.In a machine for printing names and totals on a continuous strip divided into check forms withmarginal perforations, means for feedingmarginal perforations, a strip feeding mechanism 10. In a machine for feeding a strip, a feed con- 1n trol box the sides of which guide4 the strip, a hinged cover on said box under which said strip may be inserted when it is opened, and means for controlling the feeding Aofthe strip including electrical contacts which are operated by said cover 15 lto make the feeding devices effective when the cover -is closed and ineffective when the cover is opened.

11. In a machine for feeding a strip with marginal perforations, means for feeding the strip, a box through which the strip is fed, a fixed sensing brush in said box for sensing said perforations, a

hinged cover on said box which may be lifted when a strip-is to be inserted, a metallic insert on said cover aligned with said brush Vsc that contact may be made when a perforation passes between them, a source of electrical current, a contact in series with said insert which is closed when said cover is closed, a circuit closed by said brush through a perforation, and means under control of said circuit for controlling ksaid strip feeding means. c

12. In a machine for yprinting names and totals on a continuous strip divided into checks with for feeding said strip from check to check, a latch for preventing effective operation of said mechanism, a magnet for tripping said latch, means for energizing` said magnet as an incident to total printing, means for gripping said strip to hold it in exact printing position near the end of the operation of said mechanism, a magnet for operating said gripping means, means forsensing the I marginal perforations, and connections including said sensing means for energizig said gripping f magnet.

i GEO. T. FYFE.

J. G. CA'ITERAIL. 

